KFC announces new global chicken welfare guidelines

KFC recently introduced new global chicken welfare guidelines.

They will operate as guidance, and in the instance that a country or territory has existing animal welfare regulations and expected industry practices, they will continue to be upheld.

The brand plans to work with its chicken farmers, suppliers and partners in communities around the world to improve the overall health and well-being of chickens raised for food.

These new guidelines focus on chicken health and farming practices across all areas of the supply chain, including raising, handling, transporting and processing.

They are the culmination of an extensive evaluation process conducted over the past year, in conjunction with KFC suppliers, partners and third-party industry experts worldwide.

“Chicken. It’s in our name, and it’s what we know best. That’s one reason I’m proud of these new guidelines, which reiterate KFC’s long-standing commitment to the humane treatment of the chickens we raise for food,” says Tony Lowings, chief executive officer at KFC Global. “Being transparent about how we are tracking and evaluating that commitment is an important step in our journey to continuously improve.”

The new guidelines build upon the Five Freedoms of Animal Welfare, which have long been globally adopted by professional groups that focus on animal welfare, including the American Humane Society, World Organisation for Animal Health, Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

Specifically, KFC’s global chicken welfare guidelines address and assess progress in the areas outlined below. Each country and territory, in compliance with local regulations and supply chain status, will measure and track different categories accordingly:

• Mobility while chickens are raised;
• Overall chicken health and minimization of medical interventions;
• Chicken mortality; and
• Mental and physical stress.

Additionally, KFC’s suppliers are required to meet all local laws, regulations and supplier codes globally, as outlined in the Yum! Supplier Code of Conduct policy.

KFC’s approach to chicken welfare is based on the holistic, science-based Sustainable Animal Protein Principles outlined by parent company Yum! Brands.

These principles consider the interrelated, complex issues involved in maintaining sustainable food production systems, including animal welfare, food security, and environmental impact. KFC’s chicken welfare roadmap is part of Yum!’s broader citizenship and sustainability strategy and will continue to evolve over time.